Conveyance of granular solids



27, 1954 C. H 0,' BERG 2,684,868

CONVEYANCE OF GRANULAR SOLIDS Filed Jan. 16, 1951 Patented July 27, 1954 UNITED STTES yPZLTJE'JISJ'I' IrC-E CONVEYANCE 0F GRANULAR SOLIDS iGlyde'H. 0.Berg,.Long Beach, Calif., assigner `to :UnionfOil/Company of California, Los `Angeles, rCalif., ia corporation of f California 1Application January 16, 1951, Serial No. 206,170

11 Claims. -l

iinventionfrel-ates fto `the conveyance of fgranlar. solids and lin particular `1to 'the move- .fment rofcontinuous massesr of Ysubstantially "comi=pact-solicls "through conduits Eby A4means o`f `a 'cofourrently.depressuring conveyance fluid. Spel'ciflcally the #present invention 'relates `to l-an imrproved lmethod and rapparatusior removing the *granularfrsolidsffrom the'conveyance Aconduit or Lfzone llvfhich lmaintains -their substantially cornpactiform `vv'fhileinitransitithroughftheconveyor.

"The#movementfof-lgranular solids in appreci- :fablylargefquantities presents ateehnical problem in many industrial operations `such as the movement:offcrackingicatalysts inft'hef-well' known 2TC.C.1arrdfiiuidcracliirrgiprocesses, 'the convey- 'lance fo'ssan'd ffrom tar sand fretorting processes, thezmovemen-t rdf Asores #and Ccoal metallurgical l"operations, z'and iin "many other industri'al procyaesses fin 5wliichT-large:c1u-antities o`f granular solids rare-employed "Problems are encountered -particnlarly vvhen lgranular` solids v1-mustfbe f transported continuously at high volumetric flow rat-es, for 'under pressure, X'or iunder i conditions 'Where losses 'of the solids V'due ftofattrition 4or abrasion must fbe minimized -iSuch `conditions are pronounced '-infthe transportationfof expensive granular catzalys'tsiWhichfarerequiredf to be circulated `atrates of ras thigh las i800to 113000 "tons per hour as, ifor example, iinfcatalytic cracking 'processes-employ `ing ihigh fcatalys'ttooil ratios.

j'Conventionally granular 'Lsolids fare #conveyed by lmoving mechanical lequipment lsuch `-as bucket elevatorsthe lvariousiformsof belt conveyors fand tether-apparatus *such asopen orenelosed VAdrag lin'es. Tor-atmospheric pressurefoperations such mechanical ALequipment adequately -serves -to VVtransport the "granular fsoljids fat moderate rates. fI-Iovvever, `when the solids are desir-ably transported `at lhigh flow rrates, *orv in connection 'with `processes 'Fin which "iluids Lun'derpressure rcontact the granular solids, `or in 'processes -vvhere `the solids 'are frat -an elevated temperature or 'where fthe attrition loss #of granular 'solids must 'be kept atea minimum, the *numerous fdisadvantagesfof rsuch mechanical vconveyances-present themselves. -iAmong theseproblems the `size fof theequipment necessary fto transport large vquantities -of granular solids. vel'orlexample, bucket lelevators necessary vto transport 'cracking catalysts at Ya ratef'fiabout flotons perhour Aare 'approximately `4i^feetlin"ler1"gth,`1"'foot in Width, vand A1'1/2 'feet deep. "Furthermore, *the maintenance of the necessary driving mechanism V'at elevated 'temperatures of the 'order of *those `intthe hydrocarbon cracking and other lcoirtact processes "is "dicult and expensive. Furthermore, the quantity of granular solids `lost-"by attrition in loading `and unloading the buckets is "frequently excessive.

vItis therefore anobject of the presentinvention toiprovide animprovedlmethod `forfthe conveyance of granular solids through relatively small sized equipment at relatively high volu metric flow rates withoutthe disadvantagesinherent in moving mechanical conveyors.

It is an additional object 'o'f this invention to provide a method for the conveyance 4oi'granular solids in whichfnomovementoffmechanical equipment is employed and the y'conveyance is effected by a depressuring cocurrent 'ow of ^a conveyance lviiuid l through-a 'conduit carryingthe granular solids in substantiallyL'compact form It is a further object of this invention tofprovide an improved method for maintaining the granular solids in. substantially compactiorrnin theconveyance conduit whereby the conveyance force on the .granular solids issuing from the ronduit and into a closed reversing Zone is increased to a value above that maintaineddnthe line and is subsequently decreased in the revers- `ing zone.

It is a more specific object to provide `an irnproved means ffor restricting Athe discharge fof granular -solids 'from'fthe- 'conveyance' conduit; according to the present invention, which restrictive force is independent-'f the presence of granular solids surrounding the outlet of the conveyance zone.

It is also an object ofthis invention to provide an improved solids conveyance apparatus for the conveyance of substantially compact granular solids which :characterized `by `a special sol-ids outlet providing arestri'ctiveforce on the discharging solids which vis exerted immediately upon initiating solids `n-iovern'entin a line full of solids/andy doesnot .requirethepresence of solids surroundingethe outlet.

Other objects andadvantages .of the .present invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art as the descriptionvthereof proceeds.

`Brieiiy xthe present invention comprises the :conveyance rof granular solids in substantially compact form by means of a cocurrently=depres vsuringfconveyance fluid -WhiCh'may be Aliquid or gaseous. A consideration of the zcoeincient of expansion of the particular fluidy employed isrnecessary in order thata constant conveyance force ratio, as defined in 'Equation 3 below, be maintained throughout the conveyance-zone for'maximuni conveyance efficiency. vlVhen liquid lfluids 'are used or "gaseous *iiu'ids y are employed 'under conditions wherein the total pressure drop through the conveyance Zone is less than about 5 per cent of the absolute inlet pressure, the expansion of the conveyance fluid is generally insufficient and requires no special means provided for maintaining a constant conveyance force ratio. In the other cases when gaseous uids are used with a pressure drop exceeding about 5 per cent of the absolute inlet pressure, the expansion of the fluid causes substantial fluid velocity changes which result in the Variation of the conveyance force ratio (defined in Equation 3 within the conveyance zone.

An additional factor must be considered in the maintenance of constant force ratios which is dependent upon the contribution (upon pressure decrease) of part of the conveyance uid filling the void spaces of the solids to that part of the conveyance fluid which is considered to be flowing through the interstices of the granular solids. Thus, not only does expansion of the owing conveyance fluid cause changes in the conveyance iiuid velocity and the force ratio but also the expansion of conveyance fluid carried in the void spaces between individual particles has a contributing effect.

In order to compensate for these and other factors it has been found that by increasing the cross-sectional area of the conveyance Zone in the direction of solids flow, a constant conveyance fluid velocity and force ratio may be maintained. For flows of gaseous fluids it has been foundV that the taper of the conveyance zone, or the change in cross-sectional area with distance from its inlet, required to maintain a constant force ratio is correlated by the following equation:

wherein a is the void fraction of the bulk of the solids, no

units A cross-sectional area of conduit, square feet C permeability constant as determined from:

wherein (51B is pressure gradient, pounds per square foot per foot P is the fluid density, pounds per cubic foot V superficial gas velocity, feet per second n exponent; 1.0 for viscous flow .and 1.85

for turbulent ow P pressure in conduit; pounds per square foot Q solids flow rate; pounds per second R gas constant; 1543 foot pounds per R per pound mol T temperature; R=460+ F.

' ps bulk density of solids; pounds per cubic foot Therefore by employing the above correlation, a line for conveyance of granular solids under certain specific conditions is obtained for a constant pressure gradient, force ratio and maximum efficiency. Where the distance of conveyance and the bulk density characteristics of the solids are known, the change in pressure (which is linear) can be calculated knowing that .12 J-l \l0 forexam le ll (3) Pscos0 "1 A 1p" and P P=L@ co The value of A1 is determinable from well known correlations of the rates of gravity now of granular solids from orifices of various cross-sectional areas. From the required solids delivery rate the cross-sectional area A1 is selected, the solids delivery rate Q is known, and the void fraction a, the bulk density of the solids, ,as and the solids permeability factor C are determined from the granular solids physical characteristics. P2 is the desired line outlet pressure and P1 is estimated from the length of the line and from a known value of the conveyance force ratio, for example a value of 1.1 according to Equation 4f. The reverse procedure is permissible, i. e. the estimation of P2 from a known P1. Using Equation 1 and the foregoing data, a value of A2 is determined. lf desired, a design may be effected by considering successive lengths of the conveyance zone or an estimation of the taper may be made by a similar calculation for the entire length of the conveyance zone.

The foregoing correlation permits the fabrication of a conveyance zone having a constant conveyance force ratio at any desired value. Although the tapered type of conveyance conduit is preferred, a plurality of serially connected cylindrial sections of increasing diameter in the direction of solids flow may be substituted as an approximation of the taper predicted from the correlation.

The particular improvement of the present invention involved resides in the restricted outlet of the conveyance conduit designed and operated as above indicated. A short restriction zone of between about 0.25 and 5.0 conveyance conduit diameters in length is provided at the discharge end of the conveyance conduit in which the crosssectional area open to solids'flovv is decreased to a value between about 99% and 60% of the maximum cross-sectional area in the line. Such a restriction of the outlet decreases the cross-sectional area open to solids flow and simultaneously increases the velocity of the conveyance fluid and the conveyance force ratio to a value of from 1.1 to about 5.0, a value between about 1.5 and 3.0 being preferred. This increase is reflected in an opposing force acting in the opposite direction to solids flow and which serves to maintain the flowing solids in substantially compact form.

The granular solids flowing through the conveyance conduit under the inuence of a conveyance force greater than 1.0 (from 1.01 to 3.0 and preferably between about 1.05 and 1.5) move into the restriction zone wherein an opposing force against the granular solids is encountered simultaneously with and generated by an increased conveyance force ratio. The granular solids will not stop moving but the presence of the restriction is such as to maintain the granular solids in compact form while in transit in the conveyance Zone and yet an open orifice to the conveyance zone is permitted; that is, no transverse thrust plate is required.

The granularsolids discharge into a restricted space termed a solids reversing zone in. which the .granular solids change direction and flow principally by gravity cocurrently with the depres- .Zone have heretofore been dependent upon the presence of such solids. In many casesl these vsolids drain away from the outlet of the conveyance zone and subsequently startup of the conveyor is rendered more dinicult due to the fact that the opposing thrust force must be re-established by filling the separator zone or flow reversv ing zone surrounding the discharge outlet.

The process and apparatus of the present invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation View in partial crosssection of a conveyance apparatus employing the improved solids discharge device of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a plan View in cross-section of the solids reversing zone which is used with a vertical conveyance conduit, and

Figure 3 is a modification of the conduit discharge apparatus from which the conveyance fluid is also removed.

Referring novv to Figure l,` the essential elements of the conveyance apparatus according to this invention include induction chamber l0, redirection or inlet Zone l2, taperedl conveyance conduit I4, restriction zone or conduit It included within the distance (a) from the outlet orifice i8 of conveyance zone It, and reversing zone 2li, The granular -solids are introduced via line .22 controlled by means 24 into induction chamber l0. Element 2t may comprise a valve or an improved type of star feeder presently available adapted to the introduction of granular solids from a low pressure to a high pressure zone. The latter type of feeder is preferable since a continuous conveyance of granular solids is permitted. A conveyance uid under pressure is introduced simultaneously via line 215 at a rate controlled by valve 28, which preferably is actuated r by a flow or pressure recorder controller. The conveyance nuid depressures cocurrently with the granular solids through redirection zone l2 and conveyance rone I4 into reversing Zone 20. The granular solids in the redirection and conveyance zones are maintained in substantially compact 'form while in motion due to an opposing force generated within the moving mass of solids during passage through discharge restriction Zone i6. The depressured conveyance fluid flows co'currently with the granular solids from reversing zone 20 through transfer line 30 into separator chamber 32. The separator chamber is provided with transverse tray iid from which tubes 36 depend. Surrounding tubes 36 and beneath tray 34 is an open space free of solids forming iluid disengaging zone 3S. Depressured conveyance luid is removed therefrom via line 40 at a rate controlled by valve 42 and back pressure regulator d4. The conveyed solids are drawn from chamberr32 via line 46 at a rate. controlled by element 48 which,

like element 24, may comprise a valve or a pressure-tight improved type of star feeder.

Referring now to Figure 2, a plan vieW of reversing chamber 20 is shown in which conveyance conduit It is shown provided with restricted outlet IS. The preferred Way of forming the restricted outlet is by flattening the discharge end of the conveyance conduit into a non-circular cross-section substantially as shown in Figure 2. An elliptical outlet is satisfactory, but any treatment of the discharge end of the conveyance conduit which gradually reduces its cross-sectional area to less than the maximum cross-sectional area of the conduit will. perform the function of restricting the solids discharge rate and providing the opposing thrust force required to maintain the solids in compact form.

Referring to Figure 3, an elevation view in cross-section of a modined separator or conveyance zone is shown. Granular solids are injected as described via conveyance zone 50 through restriction zone 52 which, in this modication, comprises a nozzle whereby the cross-sectional area open to solids flow is reduced to perform the function described. The depressured conveyance uid and granular solids reverse direction in reversing Zone 5d and iiow downvvardly'by gravity through tub-es 5B dependent from transverse tray 58. A disengaging space Sil is thereby formed from which depressured conveyance fluidV is removed via line 02 at a rate controlled by valve 6d. The conveyed granular Solids subsequently flow by gravity from the separator chamber 68 via line l0 at a rate controlled by element 12 which may be either a valve or a pressure-tight star feeder.

The following examples are illustrative of the construction and operation of the improved conveyance conduit according to the present invention.

Emmple I A conveyance conduit 27.25 feet in length, disposed vertically, is provided with a uniform taper increasing from 3.068 inches inside diameter (I. D.) at its entrance to 4.00 inches I. D. maximum. Granular cracking catalyst is conveyed therethrough by means of compressed air depressuring from 12 lbs. per square inch gauge to substantially atmospheric pressure. The restriction zone comprises an elliptical outlet orifice of 4.125 inches major I. D. and 3.50 inches minor I. D. In the conveyance of 20,000 lbs. per hour of bead cracking catalyst a conveyance force ratio of 1.2 is maintained within the conveyance zone and a maximum conveyance force ratio of 1.46 is attained in the restriction zone.

Examplell Example ILr .in the apparatus of Example I the elliptical restriction Zone is replaced by a conical outlet in the former a nozzle` of 4.00 inchesmaximum and 3.75 inchesy minimum I. D.v An adequate thrust force is obtained to maintain the flowing granular solids in compact form even` during startup conditions when the separator chamber is drained and free of solids. The force ratio in the restriction is 1.53.

In the present speciication the term substantially compact form is intended to indicate a mass of solids having an operating bulk density which is substantially the same as the vibrational static bulk density of the solids determined when at rest and in the absence of moving iuids. To determine whether or notk the solids in a conveyance line or in any portion thereof are moving in substantially compact form, resort may be had to any one of the following methods, which involve determination of bulk densities directly, or differential pressures, or changes in diiierential pressures with changes in flow rate of the conveying uid. The rst method to be discussed involves direct measurement of bulk densities.

The usual determination of the bulk density of granular solids is made in a vessel of known volume by applying vibrational forces to a known mass oi solid granules. It is indicated that the moving solids in the apparatus of this invention are in the form of a continuous porous mass having an operating bulk density which is substantially the same as this vibrational bulk density.

The granular solids are conveyed in this state by means of a conveyance fluid depressuring through the substantially compact moving mass of granular solids so that substantially no fluidization or aeration or expansion of the porous mass of solids occurs to change the bulk density of the moving mass from this value.

It is recognized that the bulk density of a mass of granular solids is not always constant, but varies with the geometry of the particle arrangement. For example, a given mass of uniform spherical granules will have the least bulk density when systematically packed with particle centers coinciding with the corners of a cube (cubic packing-pore volume 47.54% 1) and the greatest bulk density (about 41.5% greater) when uniformly packed with particle centers coinciding with the apexes of a tetrahedron (rhombohedral packingpore volume 25.95% l). of solids during conveyance according to this invention is intermediate between the bulk densities of solids uniformly packed according to the foregoing systems and is apparently a random mixture of several packing geometries. density variations occur in packings of non-uniform and irregular particles.

In the conveyance system of the present invention such diierences in packing arrangement apparently exist but they rarely if ever cause the bulk density of the moving solids to decrease more than 20% of the at-rest vibrational packed value and usually the decrease does not exceed about 5 of this value.

To illustrate the magnitude of the solids bulk density variation the following data are given typical of an operation for conveying compact solids:

Conduit height, feet c 27.25. Conduit attitude Vertical. Conduit diameter, inches:

Inlet 3.068. Outlet 4.000. Conveyance fluid Air. Solids mesh size 4-10. Solids flow rate, lb./hr 4,500. Solids vibrational bulk density lb./cu.

1 Micromeritics, .T M Dalla Valle (1943), p. 105.

rThe bulk density Similar Upon depressuring the conveyance uid from the bottom of the conduit while preventing further introduction of solids thereinto, it was noted that the solids level dropped only 0.25 feet from the solids outlet at the top of the 27.25 foot line, indicating an operating solids bulk density of 46.3 pounds per cubic foot during conveyance. This is approximately an 0.85% decrease from the static value and in most cases the decrease is less than 2%.

Thus the operational density of the flowing solids may be determined simply by depressuring the conveyance conduit from the inlet end so as to prevent continued introduction of solids from the induction chamber into the conduit proper and observing the change in position of the solids level at the conduit outlet as was done in obtaining the data above. The operating bulk density of the solids then may be calculated by multiplying the static vibrational bulk density determined as previously described, by the ratio of the volume of that portion of the conduit remaining full of solids to the total volume of the conduit.

If more convenient, or as a check determination, the operating bulk density may also be determined by depressuring the conduit as above, removing the granular solids from the entire conduit, weighing this material and dividing the weight by the volume of the conduit in question.

Another test for determining whether or not the lowing solids are in substantially compact form consists in observing the change in diierential pressure over a selected length of the ccnveyance conduit effected by changing the rate of flow of the conveyance fluid. In fluidized or aerated solids suspensions and the conventional gas liit processes, increases in aeration or conveyance ud flow decrease the density of the suspension being conveyed and correspondingly decreases this differential pressure while in the method of this invention increases in conveyance fluid ow rate through the compact solids increase the differential pressure markedly. This characteristic distinguishes the compact state of the granular solids flowing according to this invention from dense phase aerated suspensions of solids. For example, in a 140 foot long conduit carrying 500 tons per hour of compact granular cracking catalyst by means of compressed air, the pressure diierential is 49.6 pounds per square inch. A 10% increase in the Volume of air injected into the inlet of the conduit raises the differential pressure to pounds per square inch. By comparison, a foot conduit conveying 82,200 pounds per hour of 12-30 mesh adsorbent carbon as a dilute suspension in air the pressure differential is 1.12 pounds per square inch and a 10% increase in the air input decreases the pressure differential to 0.99 pound per square inch. Similarly, in aerated or so-called fluidized systems the pressure differential decreases with increase in gas velocity. Thus, it is seen that the magnitude of the pressure diierential is on the order of 50 times greater in conveyance of compact solids than in dilute suspensions and in many cases is considerably greater. Furthermore, this pressure diierential changes positively (increases) in the conveyance of substantially compact solids and negatively (decreases) in the conveyance of iluidized suspensions of solids with increases in conveyance duid flow rate.

Still another test for substantially compact form involves measuring the pressure drop per unit length along the conduit and `=calculaitir'igf the'- conv'eyance force ratio therein.- v This@ ratiolis:

e dl.

pgCOS 9? dp E,

anda conveyance force ratio well below-1;() based on the vibrational bulk density is found. Both compact and aerat'edsolids `may'exist in the same conduit and is a desirable operation in such processes-agcontact coking wherein the solids increase. the size. duringoperation: The increased solids attrition due to the aeration reduces this particle size and may be controlled to balance one effect against the other. In most other cases it is desirable to maintain the entire mass of solids in compact form for minimum energy requirement and solids attrition rate.

Thus in the present invention, the granular solids are conveyed in substantially compact form by means of a concurrently depressuring conveyance uid, if the operating bulk density is not more than 20 less than the static vibrational bulk density, or if there is an increase in pressure differential with increase in fluid flow rate, or if the conveyance force ratio is greater than 1.0.

Each solid particle is continuously in direct contact with several other particles surrounding it and are not free to move relative to them differentiating those conveyance operations in which the solids are aerated, fluidized or otherwise suspended in a fiuid and have operating bulk densities always considerably less than 80% of the vibrational or static bulk density.

The solids to inner conduit wall angle of repose a is defined as the maximum inclination (with respect to a horizontal plane) of a conduit full of granular solids at which the granular solids will not flow therethrough by gravitational forces alone. Gravity flow of solids can occur only when a conduit has an inclination greater than 11. In all other flow directions a conveyance force is required to cause motion. Such other flow directions pass through the apex of and are included in the solid angle formed from rotating about a vertical axis the (S04-60 angle struck downward from that axis. The process and apparatus of the present invention is primarily applicable to the conveyance of granular solids in directions included in the solid angle defined above, but it also is applicable though part of the conveyance path is along a direction outside this solid angle.

A particular embodiment of the present invention has been hereinabove described in considerable detail by way of illustration. It should be understood that various other modications and adaptations thereof may be made by those skilled in this particular art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as set forth in the appended claims.

11.v apparatus -for kthe "conveyanceof granular` solids which comprises anelongated; con-` ized granular solids; means for introducingr a conveyancel ii'uid under pressure'- intof the entranceA of" said* conveyance conduit, said conveyance" conduit` being' providedv with` an out`` let opening of'L less cross-sectional area than the maximum' crossssectional area of said conveyance conduitand adaptedt'o generate a` counterthrust force acting' against'thedischarge ofsolidsthere'ey from' therebyV preventingv solids lluidization4 andu suspensionfrmation and maintainingthe solids tlereiirv in' substantially' compact' unuidized form.

2. An apparatus for conveyance of"granular solids which comprises an elongated. conveyance conduit,.inlet"means for aconveyance fluid'un'der pressure andgranular solids thereto, said inlet means adapted .to submerge the. inlet'` opening. of saidfconveyanc'e conduit with an unuidized compactbed'of-granulan solidsto be conveyed, the outlet.` of; said conduitb'eing provided, adjacent its outlet` opening` with a short outlet section of conveyance conduit alongwhiclithe cross-sectional area decreases in the direction of solids flow, thereby generating a thrust force against the solids discharge from said conveyance conduit whereby solids iiuidization therein is prevented and said solids are conveyed in compact form.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the outlet cross-sectional area is between 99% and 60% of the maximum cross-sectional area of the conveyance conduit.

4. An apparatus for the conveyance of granular solids which comprises an induction chamber communicating with an elongated conveyance conduit, separate inlet conduits opening into said chamber for granular solids in compact unuidized form and adapted to submerge the inlet opening of said conveyance conduit therewith and for a conveyance fluid under pressure, a solids-Huid separator chamber communicating with the other end of said conveyance conduit and provided with means for removing therefrom conveyed solids and depressured conveyance Huid, the outlet of said conveyance conduit being provided with an outlet section of conveyance, conduit of decreasing cross-sectional area terminating in an opening of between 99% and 60% of the maximum cross-sectional area of said conveyance conduit whereby solids flow therethrough generates a thrust force against solids discharging therefrom thereby preventing solids fluidization and maintaining solids therein during conveyance in substantially compact unuidized form.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 in combination with a reversing chamber surrounding said outlet section of conveyance conduit and communicating via a transfer conduit with said separator chamber.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said outlet section of conveyance conduit comprises a nozzle having an inlet cross-sectional area equal to the greatest area of the conveyance conduit and an outlet area equal to from 99% to 60% of that value.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the length of said restriction conduit is between 0.25 and 5.0 times the maximum diameter of the conveyance conduit.

8. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein 11 Said conveyance conduit is provided with a circular cross section and said outlet section of said conveyance conduit of reduced cross-sectional area comprises a attened portion of the conduit at its discharge end forming an outlet opening of non-circular cross section.

9. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for removing depressured conveyance fluid from said solids-fluid separator chamber comprises a transverse tray disposed therein below the outlet opening of said conveyance conduit, at least one tube open at both ends depending from said tray and adapted to the downiiow of solids therethrough forming a disengaging space around said tubes, and a valved conduit for fluid opening from said solids-fluid separator chamber below said tray and adjacent the dependent tubes.

10. An apparatus according to claim 4 in combination with means for controlling the rate of removal of conveyed solids from said solids-huid separator chamber.

1l. An apparatus for the conveyance of granular solids which comprises an elongated conveyance conduit provided with an outlet opening having a cross-sectional area between about 99% and about 60% of the maximum cross-sectional area of said conduit, means for submerging the inlet opening of said conduit with a bed of solids to be conveyed, a solids-receiving chamber adapted to support a bed of discharged solids at the reduced area outlet opening of said conduit whereby passage of solids therethrough into said solids-receiving chamber generates a thrust force against the solids from said conduit to maintain said solids during conveyance substantially at their static bulk density, means for introducing a conveyance ud under pressure into the inlet of said conduit to convey said solids therethrough, and means for removing discharged solids and conveyance uid from said solidsreceiving chamber.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 788,741 Trump May 2, 1905 2,392,765 Reeves Jan. 8, 194.6 2,541,077 Leier Feb. 13, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 180,397 Great Britain May 11, 1922 268,667 Great Britain Apr. 7, 1927 

